Judgment

R. V. Raveendran, J.—An undated letter from the petitioner, received by this Court on 19.11.1998, alleging illegal detention, custodial torture and harassment to family members was registered as a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India. The State of Haryana and its Director General of Police, were arrayed as respondents 1 and 2 and the six Police Officers referred to in the letter-petition were arrayed as respondent Nos. 3 to 8.

Prologue (According to Police)

2. On 10.3.1998, at about 10 a.m. Dharam Singh ASI, Police Post Dhamtan Saheb (Narwana Tehsil, Jind District), along with Police constables (Ramesh Chand, Jaldhir Singh and Baljit Singh), while patrolling near Dhamtan Saheb Bus Stand, received information that one Joginder Singh (son of petitioner) and his associates were conspiring in his house, to apply pressure on some tender-bidders. When the police party proceeded towards Joginder Singh’s house, they saw two young men coming from the opposite side, on a motorcycle. On seeing the Police party, the motorcycle suddenly turned back. On suspicion, the Police party gave chase and stopped the motorcyle near a petrol-pump. The ASI asked the motorcyclist